Injury Woes Pose a Threat, But…

By The Statsman, Paul Bruno

The Jays remain one of the early season’s pleasant surprises as they sit atop the AL East with a very impressive, and surprising, 12-5 record.

That mark is going to get its first test as two more of the Jays pitchers have hit the DL. Closer B J Ryan and impressive rookie Ricky Romero are both dealing with muscle strains and join Jesse Litsch on the sidelines for at least the next two weeks.

This sucks, for sure, but they can at least look at two interesting replacements. Jeremy Accardo will likely fill in Ryan’s spot in the pen and Brett Cecil is the primary option to move into the rotation.

A year ago, Jays’ fans were lamenting the poor hitting, particularly the fact that the team batting average with runner in scoring position was hovering around the Mendoza line (.200). It’s a different story this year as the offensive production has been huge.

We are left to wonder about the club’s strategy, coming into this season with a reduced payroll ($85M), and aware of a shrinking global economy. Are the Jays well-positioned to compete at a) the trade deadline if they stay in contention or b) the August 31 trade deadline?

Don’t forget who is making those big financial decisions. You forgot, huh?

Paul Beeston, who was the great overseer of the franchise’s first two World Series Championships, that’s who.

He is a baseball executive who has always had his finger on the pulse of the game.

We believe he will equip GM J P Ricciardi with the resources and direction to weather this current storm and to position the Jays for some late season noise if they stay in contention into the second half of 2009.

Yeah, we know, in the AL East, that is a BIG IF…